Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has raised concerns over a decline in petrol and diesel sales due to smuggling, urging the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), and the Ministry of Petroleum to take action.
According to the letter, strict action against unlicensed agencies and illegal petrol pumps last year had curbed smuggling and led to an increase in sales from September to December, benefiting government revenue and the national economy.
The OCAC highlighted that smuggled diesel is being sold at Rs. 180 per liter, significantly lower than the official price of Rs. 258.64 per liter, while smuggled petrol is available at Rs. 160 per liter.
The council expressed concerns over the drop in petroleum product sales since February 2025.
The OCAC estimates that the government is losing Rs. 1.5 billion in daily revenue due to smuggling.
Compared to February 2024, high-speed diesel sales fell by 6% in February 2025, while petrol sales declined by 5%.
Over the last four months, diesel sales dropped by 16% and petrol by 13% compared to the same period last year.
The letter urged authorities to shut down illegal petrol pumps, improve cross-border management, and ban the import of white spirit, which is being adulterated and sold as diesel.